Do you have plans on Friday? I hope not, unless they involve our Touch a Truck program! If you have kids, especially little boys, you should definitely mark this event on the calendar. We are inviting those big trucks you only get to see from far away to the Recreation Center for kids to climb in. And the best part? It's FREE! Concessions will be for sale, so bring a blanket and have a picnic lunch!
I just got off the phone with our Safety Services Director and could not be more excited about this event. He told me the city departments are all looking forward to Touch a Truck and have a dump truck, front end loader (think Bob the Builder), a fire truck, a police car and a vacuum truck ready! We'll also have a bucket truck from Massillon Cable and an ambulance from Smith Ambulance.
This event is starting off a lot bigger than I anticipated and I hope you are all able to come and experience it! When else will your kids get a chance to crawl all over big trucks like these.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Best Summer Ever
What was your favorite summer job? Mine was working as a playground supervisor for the parks and recreation department where I lived. Not only did I get to play outside all day and go on sweet field trips, but I also got to hang out with some pretty awesome kids.
I like to think I made a difference in their lives - in fact I still talk to some of them. Now, of course, they are college graduates and that makes me feel a little old. I loved supervising the program but I always regretted the fact I never participated in it when I was little.
Almost every community has a summer playground program, and Massillon is no exception. What better way for children to spend the summer than playing outside with other kids their age? It is a great way for them to meet new people, make new friends and spend time with good role models.
The program also gives your children a chance to go to different attractions, like the Akron Zoo and Sluggers & Putters. I still remember how much fun those places were and the only time I got a chance to go was with the playground program.
Massillon's Playground Program is for ages 6-11 and is taking place now through August 7 at Community, Oak Knoll and Reservoir Parks. It's one of the most fun things kids can do over the summer.
If you have a child that's too young for the Playground Program but still wants to get together with other children, we also offer a Shorties Preschool Club twice a week in July for children ages 3-5. I had a chance to teach this program last year and it was way fun. We did crafts, played interactive games, sang songs (the too-di-ta song is my favorite) and read books. The program ends with some kiddie pool time, too, and no kid can resist that!
Don't miss either of these great programs. It will keep your kids outside and having fun in a supervised environment while you are at work, running errands, or just enjoying the silence of having the house to yourself :)
I like to think I made a difference in their lives - in fact I still talk to some of them. Now, of course, they are college graduates and that makes me feel a little old. I loved supervising the program but I always regretted the fact I never participated in it when I was little.
Almost every community has a summer playground program, and Massillon is no exception. What better way for children to spend the summer than playing outside with other kids their age? It is a great way for them to meet new people, make new friends and spend time with good role models.
The program also gives your children a chance to go to different attractions, like the Akron Zoo and Sluggers & Putters. I still remember how much fun those places were and the only time I got a chance to go was with the playground program.
Massillon's Playground Program is for ages 6-11 and is taking place now through August 7 at Community, Oak Knoll and Reservoir Parks. It's one of the most fun things kids can do over the summer.
If you have a child that's too young for the Playground Program but still wants to get together with other children, we also offer a Shorties Preschool Club twice a week in July for children ages 3-5. I had a chance to teach this program last year and it was way fun. We did crafts, played interactive games, sang songs (the too-di-ta song is my favorite) and read books. The program ends with some kiddie pool time, too, and no kid can resist that!
Don't miss either of these great programs. It will keep your kids outside and having fun in a supervised environment while you are at work, running errands, or just enjoying the silence of having the house to yourself :)
Friday, June 4, 2010
Birthdays
In the next two weeks I have three birthdays to celebrate, one of which is my sister's. I remember when we were kids, I used to be so jealous of her birthday parties. I am a November birthday, so my parties were never as awesome as her June birthdays. Her parties were always outside and included a slip-n-slide or a wading pool or something cool like that. Mine were always in the house and cramped for space. I'm sure all you winter birthdays can relate.
That's why I love the Massillon Recreation Center's birthday party packages. When you purchase one of these packages, you can have a great birthday party with the pool, table service, balloons, and party favors for your child and 10 friends. Where were cool things like this when I was growing up?? Not fair!
Just when I thought we'd leveled the birthday party playing field, our Aquatics Supervisor (a June birthday, I should add), came up with the idea to make summer birthday parties better. Now, you can get the same birthday party package, with a party host, balloons and table service at Oak Knoll Wading Pool! It also includes 2 hours of private pool use from 10 am-noon.
So now those of you with kids who have birthdays between mid-June and mid-August can have your child's party at the wading pool. But don't forget your winter birthday children. Book them an awesome indoor birthday pool party at the Massillon Recreation Center so they don't feel left out. Take it from another winter birthday - they'll love it and remember it forever!
That's why I love the Massillon Recreation Center's birthday party packages. When you purchase one of these packages, you can have a great birthday party with the pool, table service, balloons, and party favors for your child and 10 friends. Where were cool things like this when I was growing up?? Not fair!
So now those of you with kids who have birthdays between mid-June and mid-August can have your child's party at the wading pool. But don't forget your winter birthday children. Book them an awesome indoor birthday pool party at the Massillon Recreation Center so they don't feel left out. Take it from another winter birthday - they'll love it and remember it forever!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The importance of swim lessons
I read an editorial in today's Independent titled "Swimming lessons can be a real lifesaver" (6/1/10) and it contained some eye-opening facts. For instance, did you know drowning was the second-leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and 19 between 2000 and 2006? I was shocked to learn that.
While we are all careful when we take kids to the pool, sometimes accidents happen. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that while not all toddlers are ready for swim lessons, learn-to-swim programs can be beneficial for children under the age of four.
While swim lessons are not a fail-safe (even experience swimmers can drown), they go a long way in teaching children water safety.
With summer upon us, this is a big issue. The Massillon Parks and Recreation Department offers swim lessons for children as young as 6 months old (with a parent). All of our swim lessons are taught by American Red Cross Certified Instructors. Our instructors are required to take educational updates as they become available, so they are always up-to-date on the newest techniques.
Seeing as it's summer and you might rather be outside at the pool, we have started offering Parent and Child Aquatics Level 1 & 2 and Preschool Aquatics Level 1 at Oak Knoll Wading Pool on Tuesday nights beginning June 8. These are great for children who are a little skittish about the water because the pool isn't deep.
If indoor lessons are more your thing or your child is a little more advanced, we also offer those classes indoors as well as lessons for levels 1-5 weekday mornings beginning June 7. Our Evening and Saturday lessons will start July 5 and June 26, respectively.
We have also started offering deep-water lessons for more advanced students on Sunday mornings at the Massillon City Pool. Those lessons start on June 6.
You can find information on all of our swim lessons on our web site.
Swim lessons are important and help teach your children water safety and awareness, but nothing compares to being active and playing with them. You'll be able to recognize problems before they start and could end up getting a great workout too!
While we are all careful when we take kids to the pool, sometimes accidents happen. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that while not all toddlers are ready for swim lessons, learn-to-swim programs can be beneficial for children under the age of four.
While swim lessons are not a fail-safe (even experience swimmers can drown), they go a long way in teaching children water safety.
Seeing as it's summer and you might rather be outside at the pool, we have started offering Parent and Child Aquatics Level 1 & 2 and Preschool Aquatics Level 1 at Oak Knoll Wading Pool on Tuesday nights beginning June 8. These are great for children who are a little skittish about the water because the pool isn't deep.
If indoor lessons are more your thing or your child is a little more advanced, we also offer those classes indoors as well as lessons for levels 1-5 weekday mornings beginning June 7. Our Evening and Saturday lessons will start July 5 and June 26, respectively.
We have also started offering deep-water lessons for more advanced students on Sunday mornings at the Massillon City Pool. Those lessons start on June 6.
You can find information on all of our swim lessons on our web site.
Swim lessons are important and help teach your children water safety and awareness, but nothing compares to being active and playing with them. You'll be able to recognize problems before they start and could end up getting a great workout too!
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